The postings in this subreddit about the whole EU-AZ-drama demonstrate for me (a EU citizen) that I clearly do not share the same values with (at least the in this subreddit vocal) citiziens of the United Kingdom.

Let's recall what happened from my perspective:

1. Global Pandemic. Everyone is afraid of a new virus, yadayada, you all remember this part

2. Global efforts to develop a vaccine:

• In the UK: The Oxford university develops a vector vaccine based on a MERS vaccine. Partners with AstraZeneca

• At the same time in Germany: BioNTech develops a vaccine based on their cancer research. Partners with Pfizer

1. All countries of the world negotiate vaccination-contracts with this companies

• Stance of the EU: We only beat the virus if everybody of the world can be vaccinated. Therefore we do not put export restriction in place

• Stance of USA: Every vaccination dose that is produced in the USA has to be used in the US

• Stance of UK: Every vaccination dose that is produced in the UK has to be used in the UK

1. Companies build their production mainly in the EU. Reason is that it is the only place where a global distribution is possible.

2. Biontech/Pfizer vaccine is a success. It is straightly exported from the EU into all countries that use this vaccine, except the USA who have their own production. EU is happy as long as its own contracts are honored from Biontech/Pfizer. Seems to be mostly the case.

3. Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is a (somewhat) success. One week before the approval the EU is told that it gets only 30% of its orders in Q1. At the same time vaccines where exported from the EU to UK, who still receives 100% of their order.

4. EU is not sure if all contracts where honored. Therefore not happy. To make sure that all contracts are honored, it imposes export control. Promises not to limit export as long as all contracts are honored in a fair share.

I agree with you guys: The EU is not necessarily always right. Especially in the vaccine orders some things have gone horribly wrong. But when you tell me that the EU are the once embracing vaccination nationalism, you strongly disappoint me. The EU was the only region that adopted no vaccination nationalism into its contracts, the only (western) nation to export vaccines all over the world. The result of this will probably be that the vaccinations will finish far behind the UK or the USA here in the EU. Imagine a world where the USA and the UK joined the EU in its effort to do the right thing. Now imagine you were the only once embracing the "export vaccines all over the world". And the company, that exports your vaccine then tells you: "Well, we only will supply you with 30% of your order", however Ireland will get its full order. What will be your reaction?

It feels for me, like the EU is exploited here for its goodwill; however, I can to some degree understand all of this if I distance myself from my own frustrations. What makes me doubt the EU-UK-relations is, if I see the posts in this subreddit suggesting to not supply Biontech/Pfizer in the EU with resources for vaccines. Are you guys aware of the consequences of such a step? If you do this humans will die. Are you prepared to be the person that is responsible for the extra lives lost in this crisis? I am not. I am all against export restrictions. I am for a fair distribution of vaccines all over the world, yes this includes Africa. Maybe a prioritization for countries that are hit worse could be imposed. It makes me sad to see, that the (hopefully only vocal minority in this sub of the) UK-population does not seem to share this sentiment.